2. What is law reform?
‘the process of examining existing laws, and
advocating and implementing changes in a legal
system, usually with the aim of enhancing justice or
efficiency’ (Wikipedia)
3. LESSON OBJECTIVES
Know the different influences upon Parliament
Know the role of the Law Commission
To know advantages and disadvantages of the Law
Commission
Understand why a public inquiry was needed into
the Hillsborough disaster
4. LAW REFORM AGENCIES
Law Commission
Royal Commissions
OTHER INFLUENCES ON PARLIAMENT
Public inquiries
Media
Pressure groups
Manifesto promises
European Union law
5. LAW COMMISSION
http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/
The Law Commission Act 1965 set up the Law
Commission.
There are 5 legal experts from the legal profession.
Their job:
Identify areas of the law where reform is necessary
Codify the law
Repeal obsolete laws
Consolidate and modernise the law
6. ROYAL COMMISSION
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/258929.stm
Independent experts.
Set up when necessary.
Once report is completed, group disbands.
Runciman Commission set up after the Birmingham
six were released.
7. PUBLIC INQUIRIES
The Taylor Report was set up after
the Hillsborough Disaster and led
to all-seated football stadiums.
http://www.myspace.com/video/vid/
55384945
The Cullen Report led to the
Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
after the Dunblane Disaster.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/d
ates/stories/march/13/newsid_2543
000/2543277.stm
8. MEDIA
Sometimes the media may campaign
for a change in the law for example the
Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
The News of the World campaign to
‘name and shame’ paedophiles after
the murder of Sarah Payne in 2001
was unsuccessful.
9. PRESSURE GROUPS
The Fathers 4 Justice campaign has been
unsuccessful
Gay rights groups were successful
in changing the law. The age of
consent was lowered to 16 from 18
in 2000.
10. MANIFESTO PROMISES
A declaration of a political party’s
intentions produced before a general
election.
The Liberal Democrats were
committed to abolishing tuition fees.
However, the Coalition are looking to
increase Higher Education fees.
11. EUROPEAN UNION LAW
If UK law does not conform to
EU law, Parliament must
change the law.
For example the Sex
Discrimination Act 1986 was
created to protect female workers.
